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I have been asked, "do I believe in God?"
Here's some history; I was born and raised Catholic. As I have aged I have come to odds with the Catholic church especially when they basically said a few years ago that if you didn't believe exactly everything that the church said they didn't want any part of you; I reconsidered my thoughts on religion.
So where does that leave me now? Basically, I believe in God and I'm pretty sure that Jesus was the son of God but I don't believe in a religion. I feel that my relationship with God is personal and it is up to me what I think it means to live a good, just life. What basically turned me in this direction is that I don't think tradition and dogma should be the only direction I will have to Him.
I appreciate that a lot of people don't see it that way, but I do. I promised a comment on politics, so here it is. I think if you ask a politician to tell you how religion drives his or her life you are just asking them to lie. I think for most of us our religion is the underlying way we make decisions even if we don't actually think of it that way. So, we should cut our politicians some slack if they can't verbalize it that way, it's a hard question that doesn't really have a good answer.
Religion should not be a test to get into government, but it can be in the discussion.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Off-shore Drilling
I was hoping that I wouldn't have to comment on this because I thought it would go the way of other bad ideas like the gas-tax holiday. Alas, that was not to be; so here are a few reasons why this is a very, very bad idea.
1. It's environmentally stupid
2. The oil wouldn't be available for at least 10 years
3. There's not that much oil there anyway
4. The oil companies have access to millions of other acres to drill on the coast line and don't; that should say something since there is more oil there than in the areas they want access to
5. John McCain doesn't even believe it's a good idea
So the question then is if he doesn't believe it why did he say it?
Well that answer is that he has absolutely no idea what he is talking about on a wide range of issues; I'll have to go into that another time.
There it is; it is a dumb idea. What's next?!
1. It's environmentally stupid
2. The oil wouldn't be available for at least 10 years
3. There's not that much oil there anyway
4. The oil companies have access to millions of other acres to drill on the coast line and don't; that should say something since there is more oil there than in the areas they want access to
5. John McCain doesn't even believe it's a good idea
So the question then is if he doesn't believe it why did he say it?
Well that answer is that he has absolutely no idea what he is talking about on a wide range of issues; I'll have to go into that another time.
There it is; it is a dumb idea. What's next?!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Barack Obama-sistible
I thought I post something a little light hearted for a Saturday morning. Enjoy!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Who hates America?
Can we now end this silliness with Michelle Obama? Please? I want to talk about the issues.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Happy Father's Day!
I want to wish a Happy Father's Day to my real father Daniel Chesney!
You made me a better person, it just goes to show that biology isn't what makes the father.
You made me a better person, it just goes to show that biology isn't what makes the father.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Tim Russert
NBC is reporting the death of Tim Russert NBC News Washington Bureau Chief and moderator of Meet the Press.
He was an outstanding journalist and had a very deep understanding of why we as Americans are so interested in politics and if we're not than why we should.
It appears that he had died of heart attach at the age of 58.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.
If you would like to share your thoughts about Tim Russert feel free to in the comments section.
He was an outstanding journalist and had a very deep understanding of why we as Americans are so interested in politics and if we're not than why we should.
It appears that he had died of heart attach at the age of 58.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.
If you would like to share your thoughts about Tim Russert feel free to in the comments section.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Kucinich Makes History!
Dennis Kucinich D-OH today introduced a resolution of 35 articles of impeachment. This is largely symbolic but it is now on the record. See for yourself.
Moyers Schools O'Reilly Producer!
Not really newsworthy or impactful. I just found it very, very funny. See for yourself.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Clinton Backs Obama
This is a step in the right direction and a step to Democratic unity come the fall. I am very interested to see what's next.
What do you all think?
Thursday, June 5, 2008
New Democratic Path
Presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama has made a bold step in the DNC after becoming the leader of the party only 2 days ago.
The Democrats will no longer take money from federally registered lobbyists or special interests. This is a major step in the right direction and I applaud the move made today. This is what Sen. Obama's campaign has been based on along with added transparency in government and I'm very happy that the DNC is now moving in that direction as well.
Here is the Huffington Post's article on this historic day:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/05/obamas-in-control-no-more_n_105407.html
The Democrats will no longer take money from federally registered lobbyists or special interests. This is a major step in the right direction and I applaud the move made today. This is what Sen. Obama's campaign has been based on along with added transparency in government and I'm very happy that the DNC is now moving in that direction as well.
Here is the Huffington Post's article on this historic day:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/05/obamas-in-control-no-more_n_105407.html
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
We Won!
The Barack Obama campaign has won the Democratic party's nomination for President of the United States! Great job everyone who helped! On to the general election!
I'll have video of his victory speech as soon as I can find it.
I'll have video of his victory speech as soon as I can find it.
Down to 12!
Only 12 delegates needed to clinch the nomination! We should get at least 15-18 tonight!
So we Win!
Yes We Can!
Si' Se Puede'!
So we Win!
Yes We Can!
Si' Se Puede'!
Today in the Election 6/3/08
The final primaries are tonight in South Dakota and Montana. Sen. Obama is expected to win Montana easily and South Dakota is expected to be a very close. We are still waiting to see if presumptive nominee Obama will have enough super delegates in line to declare victory tonight or if he will have to wait until tomorrow to do so.
The Clinton campaign has sent signals that tonight she will recognize Sen. Obama as the Democratic Party's nominee. We shall see.
More to come soon!
The Clinton campaign has sent signals that tonight she will recognize Sen. Obama as the Democratic Party's nominee. We shall see.
More to come soon!
Monday, June 2, 2008
How I picked my candidate for President
So, I'm sure after the first post you wondering how I came to support Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States. Well, I can say that I wasn't an instant supporter.
I really started paying attention to the Presidential race probably in November 2007 around the time of the first debates (there's been 21 so I'm not sure if it was the first one). I consider myself as an independent voter who leans Democratic. So, in that vain I watched both the Democratic and Republican debates on television and the only thing I was sure of was that none of the Republicans seemed to be in touch with what I see as the direction the country is moving. That being said I really had no idea which of the Democrats I supported either. I really thought it was important that the Democrats win and I was really liking Richardson or Biden in the beginning. I really think Edwards or Dodd had a chance and Clinton was a whole other story. You ask, what about Obama? Well, to be honest never really considered him in this equation, I was really leaning toward Richardson or Biden as who I would vote for in the primary.
Now, you might say you're from IL why didn't you think Obama had a real shot. Well I really didn't know him because I didn't vote in that primary (which by the way is the only election I've missed since I turned 18) and his opponent in the general was Alan Keyes and he was a nut. I remembered his convention speech and thought it was awesome but beyond that I didn't know who he was or what he stood for.
So, I continued to watch the debates and the political shows on TV as they ramped up for Iowa. I saw he raised a lot of money but still I wasn't convinced because the format of the debates didn't really allow much time for each position to be analyized.
Then Obama won Iowa. To say the least I was shocked. Then, I watched his victory speech after Iowa and thought to myself that this guy had some good ideas but didn't go much further than that because it would be a little while before our primary. He then lost New Hampshire and to my surprise I was a little sad even though I hadn't really decided to vote for him, I guess I kind of like the underdog.
I then watched his concession speech and I was blown away. This speech actually made me decide to really check him out and see what he stood for on the issues. I went to his website and was surprised to find the wealth of information available on all of his positions. I read through it and thought that he might be the guy, I figured I'd see what happened in South Carolina and if he could bounce back.
He did and gave another great speech. People say that I drank the cool aid but what I did was actually listen to what he was saying time and time again he seemed to hit on the head what I was thinking or should have been thinking all along.
He's the one and he's only going to start a movement because there is no way he could fix everything the we as a country have screwed up in even 2 terms.
The way I see it is he's the one that will help us take our country back.
He's the nominee now, and now I am going to do whatever I can do to help him win.
If you would like to donate to the campaign click here:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/jpistorius
We are the change, we've been waiting for!
Yes We Can!
Si' Se Puede!
I really started paying attention to the Presidential race probably in November 2007 around the time of the first debates (there's been 21 so I'm not sure if it was the first one). I consider myself as an independent voter who leans Democratic. So, in that vain I watched both the Democratic and Republican debates on television and the only thing I was sure of was that none of the Republicans seemed to be in touch with what I see as the direction the country is moving. That being said I really had no idea which of the Democrats I supported either. I really thought it was important that the Democrats win and I was really liking Richardson or Biden in the beginning. I really think Edwards or Dodd had a chance and Clinton was a whole other story. You ask, what about Obama? Well, to be honest never really considered him in this equation, I was really leaning toward Richardson or Biden as who I would vote for in the primary.
Now, you might say you're from IL why didn't you think Obama had a real shot. Well I really didn't know him because I didn't vote in that primary (which by the way is the only election I've missed since I turned 18) and his opponent in the general was Alan Keyes and he was a nut. I remembered his convention speech and thought it was awesome but beyond that I didn't know who he was or what he stood for.
So, I continued to watch the debates and the political shows on TV as they ramped up for Iowa. I saw he raised a lot of money but still I wasn't convinced because the format of the debates didn't really allow much time for each position to be analyized.
Then Obama won Iowa. To say the least I was shocked. Then, I watched his victory speech after Iowa and thought to myself that this guy had some good ideas but didn't go much further than that because it would be a little while before our primary. He then lost New Hampshire and to my surprise I was a little sad even though I hadn't really decided to vote for him, I guess I kind of like the underdog.
I then watched his concession speech and I was blown away. This speech actually made me decide to really check him out and see what he stood for on the issues. I went to his website and was surprised to find the wealth of information available on all of his positions. I read through it and thought that he might be the guy, I figured I'd see what happened in South Carolina and if he could bounce back.
He did and gave another great speech. People say that I drank the cool aid but what I did was actually listen to what he was saying time and time again he seemed to hit on the head what I was thinking or should have been thinking all along.
He's the one and he's only going to start a movement because there is no way he could fix everything the we as a country have screwed up in even 2 terms.
The way I see it is he's the one that will help us take our country back.
He's the nominee now, and now I am going to do whatever I can do to help him win.
If you would like to donate to the campaign click here:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/jpistorius
We are the change, we've been waiting for!
Yes We Can!
Si' Se Puede!
The Way I See Things
The way I see things is that this country is something special. Our history is something that we all should be proud of and we all should defend in thought and act.
We hold these truths to be self evident.... This is what we believe and it's time to take our country back. This election is so important because as a nation we have never been nearer the abyss of irrelevance. This is the time when we stand up for those who are less fortunate. This is the time that we stand for those who can't stand for themselves. This is the time we stand up to a government who for too long has not been responsive to our needs as a people. This election is about taking our country back from those who only represent the privileged. We won't fall for the tricks our politicians use to divide us, not this time. We won't let what we don't agree on divide us, not this time. It's time to make a stand and do what's right for our country and our generation. It's time to stand for the next generation, who shouldn't have to pay for the mistakes of the past.
This country is great for a reason. We should start acting like it and not let the minor things that we don't agree on keep us from doing what needs to be done to keep this the greatest country in the world. What are you going to do to make this country, this world a better place for you, your family, and future generations?
We The People ... It's time to make a stand, who's with me?
We hold these truths to be self evident.... This is what we believe and it's time to take our country back. This election is so important because as a nation we have never been nearer the abyss of irrelevance. This is the time when we stand up for those who are less fortunate. This is the time that we stand for those who can't stand for themselves. This is the time we stand up to a government who for too long has not been responsive to our needs as a people. This election is about taking our country back from those who only represent the privileged. We won't fall for the tricks our politicians use to divide us, not this time. We won't let what we don't agree on divide us, not this time. It's time to make a stand and do what's right for our country and our generation. It's time to stand for the next generation, who shouldn't have to pay for the mistakes of the past.
This country is great for a reason. We should start acting like it and not let the minor things that we don't agree on keep us from doing what needs to be done to keep this the greatest country in the world. What are you going to do to make this country, this world a better place for you, your family, and future generations?
We The People ... It's time to make a stand, who's with me?
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